Paranormal Detective: Escape from the 80's
- December 12, 2019
- LunaBeat
Get on Steam"Paranormal Detective: Escape from the 80's" is a nostalgic, point-and-click adventure game that transports you to the iconic decade. As a detective, you must solve a series of paranormal cases and escape the clutches of the 80's. The game features a unique blend of horror, comedy, and pop culture references that will keep you engaged until the end.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus VR
Reviews
- The game is a charming and nostalgic escape room experience, filled with 80s references and humor.
- Puzzles are varied and creative, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.
- The game runs smoothly with good graphics and interactive elements, making it an enjoyable VR experience.
- The game is relatively short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Some puzzles lack context and can be confusing, leading to moments where players may feel stuck.
- The music and certain aspects of the graphics may feel repetitive or clunky, detracting from the overall experience.
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging and evolves from a simple escape room premise into a rich narrative filled with unexpected twists and nostalgic elements, particularly appealing to those familiar with 80s culture. While some puzzles may not align perfectly with the detective theme, the overall interactive experience enhances the storytelling, making it feel organic rather than forced. The light-hearted approach to serious themes, like a missing child, adds to its charm.
“There was even an unexpected plot twist at the end, and when we thought it couldn't get any better, the game 'changed', revealing many surprises.”
“It was much more than an escape room, though - it was a story, and for those of us who grew up in the 80s, such a trip down memory lane.”
“Starts as an escape room game, but gets a cool story along the way.”
“The puzzles don't really fit the story of being a detective.”
“This is a light-hearted game, so the 'missing kid' storyline should be taken not so seriously.”
“They aren't just created for you to solve, but instead are a part of the story, so it never feels contrived.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their high quality and detailed models, effectively capturing an immersive 80's aesthetic. Players appreciate the solid frame rate and the overall visual experience, which enhances the enjoyment of the gameplay and puzzles. However, some users noted a repetitive graphic style that detracted from their experience.
“I really enjoyed playing this; the graphics are fantastic, it feels like you are really in the 80's.”
“Puzzles are logical and highly creative, the graphics are superb, the frame rate is solid, and the gameplay is really enjoyable.”
“Graphics look nice (some models are really detailed), puzzles work as expected (no bugs that make you doubt if you did something wrong or if it's the game's fault, super important in puzzle games).”
“I'm not a big fan of the repetitive music and graphic style.”
“Played with Vive Pro on a 1080 graphics card with high settings.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players enjoyed the soundtrack and found it engaging, others criticized it for being repetitive and difficult to interact with, particularly due to a challenging music puzzle. Additionally, issues with audio clarity detracted from the overall experience for some users.
“Loved all the music in it, and I loved exploring the rooms.”
“Not everyone can repeat music notes.”
“I'm not a big fan of the repetitive music and graphic style.”
“First off, this gets a 'no' vote because of the music puzzle.”
“Even at 100%, I could barely hear the dialogue and one of the cassettes; the other songs were fine though.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its engaging and surprising moments, featuring a wealth of 80s references and clever extras like hidden cassette tapes and a humorous hint system. Players appreciate the funny voice acting and the overall lighthearted tone, making it a delightful experience.
“Very nice experience with a lot of funny and surprising moments.”
“Another hilarious puzzle game from the same people who did Escape from the 90s.”
“There is an in-game hint system completely voice acted and implemented in such a funny way.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its innovative use of VR mechanics, engaging puzzles that require thoughtful problem-solving, and a blend of shooting and detective elements. Players appreciate the superb graphics and solid frame rate, making for an enjoyable experience in this retro-themed escape room adventure. Overall, it offers a charming and creative gameplay experience lasting about an hour to an hour and a half.
“Makes brilliant use of VR mechanics, has pretty good graphics, and the puzzles did take a little actual thinking to solve.”
“Great little time travel 80's adventure escape room VR game with shooting elements and detective gameplay, along with cheesy acting and loads of retro stuff to discover.”
“Puzzles are logical and highly creative, the graphics are superb, the frame rate is solid, and the gameplay is really enjoyable.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The puzzles are often too easy or illogical, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The inclusion of a usable boombox with swappable cassettes enhances the game's atmosphere, providing an engaging auditory experience that complements the puzzle-solving elements.
“The usable boombox with swappable cassettes adds an incredible layer of atmosphere while running around solving puzzles.”
“The game's ambient sounds and visuals create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you into its world.”
“Every corner of the environment is filled with details that enhance the overall atmosphere, making exploration a delight.”
